Phishing: The #1 Threat to Your Business (And How to Stop It)

If there's one cyber threat every business owner needs to understand, it's phishing. These deceptive emails are responsible for the vast majority of successful cyber attacks, and they're getting more sophisticated every day.

What Is Phishing?

Phishing is when criminals send emails pretending to be someone else (your bank, a supplier, even a colleague) to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links.

The emails often look legitimate. They might use real company logos, familiar language, and urgent requests designed to make you act without thinking.

Why It Works

Phishing exploits human nature. We're busy. We want to be helpful. We trust emails from people we know. Criminals know this and use it against us.

Even smart, careful people fall for phishing attacks. It only takes one moment of distraction.

How to Spot a Phishing Email

Here are the warning signs to watch for:

Urgency: 'Act now!' 'Your account will be closed!' Legitimate organisations rarely demand immediate action.

Unexpected requests: Your bank won't ask for your password via email. Your CEO probably won't ask you to buy gift cards.

Suspicious links: Hover over links before clicking. Does the URL match where it claims to go?

Poor spelling and grammar: Many phishing emails contain obvious errors.

Generic greetings: 'Dear Customer' instead of your actual name.

What to Do If You're Unsure

When in doubt, don't click. Instead:

Verify independently: Call the sender using a number you know is genuine (not one from the email).

Report it: Forward suspicious emails to your IT team or provider.

Delete it: If something feels off, trust your instincts.

Protecting Your Business

Training and awareness are essential, but they're not enough on their own. You also need technical controls:

Email filtering: Block malicious emails before they reach your inbox.

Link protection: Scan links in real-time to catch threats.

Multi-factor authentication: Even if credentials are stolen, attackers can't get in without the second factor.

We offer comprehensive email security that catches threats before they reach your team. Combined with regular awareness training, it's the best defence against phishing.